My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE DITMORE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 12; P. O. Arcanum. One of the old settlers of Darke Co.; was born in Montgomery Co. in 1813, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Ditmore, natives of Pennsylvania; his father was born in Somerset Co., his mother in Lancaster Co., and removed to Montgomery Co. at a very early day. Our subject assisted his father in the duties of the farm till he was 15 years old, when he apprenticed himself and learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for sixteen years; then he engaged in farming, and removed to Darke Co. in April, 1851. He first settled on 80 acres of rented land, partly cleared, and remained on this farm for four years, then removed to the place where he now resides; he first purchased 120 acres of land, all in the woods, and, like others who settled in Darke Co. in an early day, had plenty to do, and he informs us he and his wife labored many times till far into the night before they got their farm in a state for cultivation. In 1861, he purchased 80 acres adjoining the home farm. In 1858, he bought 60 acres in Van Buren Township; afterward purchased 80 acres more in this township, and 50 acres more in Van Buren Township. When he began, his capital consisted of one yearling colt and 25 cents in money; this was the nucleus around which he gathered his fortune; though insignificant as it was, it shows that fortunes are the growth of these small germs, when properly nourished, and, in this instance, we must recollect that Mr. Ditmore labored against many disadvantages. There are many young men who would have consumed his small capital with a few trifling expenses, but the outgrowth, through his management, has developed itself into quite a fortune, and he and his good wife are now enjoying the refreshing shades of retirement, the reward of their many self-denials. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Fryman, Aug. 8, 1831. They were natives of Maryland. Seven children are the fruits of this union, viz., John, born Aug. 4, 1834; Levi, born Jan. 14, 1836; Lavina, born Aug. 25, 1837; Israel, born Aug. 12, 1840; George, born May 10, 1842; Catherine, born March 31, 1846; one dying in infancy; Israel died Oct. 13, 1855. Our subject has been Township Treasurer and School Director for many years, and he and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, and are consistent Christian people.